WALES football legend Trevor Ford was laid to rest in Swansea yesterday.

A host of figures from Welsh football turned out to pay their respects to the former striker, with a strong contingent of Swansea football heroes.

A service of remembrance was held at Clyne Church in Blackpill, Swansea, before the burial at Oystermouth Cemetery.

The mourners included former Swansea greats Mel Charles, Mel Nurse and Alan Curtis.

Also among the mourners was entertainer and former Crossroads star Stan Stennett.

Ford, who died at the age of 79 following a long illness, was one of Wales's footballing greats.

In a remarkable career, he scored 174 goals in 349 Football League appearances and played for Swansea Town, Aston Villa, Sunderland, PSV Eindhoven and Cardiff City and Newport County.

He became the most expensive forward in Britain in 1950 when Sunderland paid &#xA3;30,000 for him.

A centre-forward in the classic uncompromising style, Ford's shoulder charging of goalkeepers, legal in those days, was one of the highlights of any match that he played in.

His abilities also brought him 23 goals in 38 Wales appearances, a record he held jointly with Ivor Allchurch (68 games) before Ian Rush scored 28 times in 73 matches.

Former Liverpool striker Rush described Ford as "a true gentleman". "I met him a few times and I remember the night I got the record - against Belgium in Cardiff - Trevor made a point of coming over to me after the game.

"He shook my hand and said, 'Well done'. That was the mark of the man.

Terry Medwin, another Swansea-born Wales colleague said, "He was a lovely chap who led by example. He always enjoyed his football and was one of the best forwards Wales has ever had."